What does the suspension of the Belarusian ambassador to Latvia really mean? The expert comments

Lukashenko has removed the diplomatic rank of two more diplomats – former Ambassador to Slovakia Igor Leščen and member of the Presidium of the Coordinating Council, former diplomat Pavel Latuško.

In Captain’s view, the deprivation of diplomatic rank of all three diplomats must be taken into account. This, in turn, suggests that the Belarusian ambassador to Latvia has either shown sympathy for the opposition or that Markovich has not been able to fully implement the foreign policy interests of the current President of Belarus.

The foreign expert reminded that in August Lukashenko issued a statement in which, among other countries, Latvia was mentioned, where, in the opinion of the President, military maneuvers were being carried out, which posed a threat to the security of Belarus.

“Currently, there is a lack of closer information in the public space about the real reasons for Markovich’s suspension, but one thing is clear that he has been demoted. Speaking of similarities, he has been demoted almost as a janitor,” said Kapustāns.

The expert stressed that after Latuško’s joining the Coordination Council established by the opposition, Lukashenko stated that he had “crossed the red line” and “will answer according to the law”. In Captain’s view, something similar could be related to the former Belarusian ambassador to Latvia.

Emphasizing that Markovich’s case reflects the attitude of some diplomats towards the current president of Belarus and his methods of fighting the opposition and his people, the foreign policy researcher stressed that in a sense this is even understandable.

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In Britain, for example, it became clear during the Brixit that most UK diplomats sympathized with staying in the EU rather than leaving. Captain explained that the diplomat was sent to work abroad for about four years with the idea that the country in which he resides would not be too friendly.

“This is a clear signal and I do not rule out the possibility that the three diplomats will be joined by others. , it is the regime that commands them as an employer.

As to whether the suspension of the ambassador could be considered a gesture to Latvia, the foreign expert answered in the negative. In his view, Belarus’s response gesture would be to impose entry restrictions on Latvian officials.

Lukashenko dismisses Ambassador to Latvia

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The EU does not recognize Lukashenko and considers the presidential election fraudulent

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“In this case, the Belarusian official is being punished. As if we can theoretically assume that the cancellation of Lukashenko’s visit to Latvia will be punished by the ambassador. It seems to me that this version is unlikely,” Kapustan stressed.

He pointed out that this is a domestic political struggle in Belarus, which is not related to the decision of the Latvian government to impose sanctions on Belarusian officials. As the sanctions were implemented in a coordinated manner in both Lithuania and Estonia, the ambassadors to the other Baltic states should be suspended, but so far there is no evidence of this.

Asked whether such actions by Lukashenko did not indicate that he was carrying out a “cleansing”, replacing “unreliable” diplomats with those who are loyal to the regime, Kapustan replied in the affirmative. There has already been a precedent. Some time ago, journalists working in the official state media who did not want to spread lies and propaganda were replaced by journalists from Russia, he explained.